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American media outlets have revealed that Canada is considering buying MQ-9B SkyGuardian attack and reconnaissance drones from the United States to bolster its Arctic presence. This has also been confirmed by the Canadian government.
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The report indicates that Canada plans to acquire 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from the U.S. company General Atomics. This move aims to enhance Canada’s technological capabilities in the Arctic, with the contract amounting to $2.5 billion. Drone deliveries are scheduled between 2025 and 2028.
The UAVs will now be stationed at 14 Wing Greenwood Air Force Base in Nova Scotia and 19 Wing Comox Air Force Base in British Columbia. To support this, Canada plans to refurbish and upgrade these air bases.
Originally, these drones were to have their own new base in the Arctic. This base would host two aircraft, one for providing supplies to maintenance personnel and another for specific reconnaissance missions. However, this plan has since been revised.
Now, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian attack and reconnaissance drones, purchased by the United States, will be deployed as needed to existing forward operating bases where Canadian Air Force aircraft are already stationed.
Moreover, a state-of-the-art command center is set to be constructed in Uplands, Ottawa, spanning 6,000 square meters at a projected cost of $65 million. The construction is planned to be completed by 2028. This facility will accommodate around 200 military personnel who will oversee and manage unmanned systems, according to the Canadian government.
This announcement came on the heels of some controversy, as the Canadian Forces and National Defense had originally kept the location under wraps. However, public documents eventually surfaced, shedding light on the project’s specifics.
It’s also noteworthy that the MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAV is remarkably versatile. It can execute reconnaissance and surveillance missions while also being equipped to carry air-to-surface missiles and bombs across nine hardpoints.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone stands out as the next generation in remotely piloted aircraft systems. Drawing on advanced satellite navigation, it is capable of epic, over-the-horizon flights lasting more than 40 hours straight, day or night, rain or shine.
However, it is worth noting that the versions of MQ-9B SkyGuardians produced for the Canadian Air Force have some differences compared to those made for the US military. While Canadian models are well-suited for extended missions, they fall short in certain specifications.
Canadian MQ-9B SkyGuardians can fly continuously for 28 hours, covering distances up to 7,200 km. In comparison, their American counterparts boast a range of 11,000 km. The payload capacity of the Canadian models is 1,700 kg, whereas US versions can handle over 2,500 kg. Both models have an impressive top speed of 390 km/h, but their service ceilings differ—13,500 meters for the Canadian SkyGuardians and 15,500 meters for the US versions.
In support of these new capabilities, a $65 million command center is under construction in Uplands, Ottawa. Slated for completion by 2028, this 6,000-square-meter facility will host around 200 military personnel dedicated to the command and control of these advanced drones.